BLOCKS by SIZE 6" Quilt Blocks

Many quiltmakers like to make six inch quilt blocks in order to use a greater variety of blocks in a sampler style quilt. Another reason might be to test out the look of a block in a smaller size in order to save on the fabrics (just in case the block looks very different than in your imagination).

Whatever your reason for creating six inch blocks, the pieces are all just smaller versions of larger sized quilt blocks -- such as the most popular size, the 12" quilt block. This is what makes quiltmaking so exciting -- you are the designer and get to choose all the components.

Vortex

Free Quilt Block Pattern

The Vortex quilt block is a simple four patch design featuring half square triangles and a patch that is underused, (in my opinion) and that is what is known as a three quarter square triangle patch. This last unit is comprised of a half square triangle and two quarter square triangle pieces to make up the completed patch. (These different pieces are used in order that the completed unit keeps the straight of grain edge on the outside. This in important in order to avoid distortion of the pieces as they are handled.)

This quilt block is sort of an optical illusion representing a swirling "vortex" (hence the name of the block). I see a pinwheel spinning in the centre. All sorts of interesting arrangements can be made using this block over and over in your quilt. Two sample quilts are illustrated on the following page.